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Posted on: February 8, 2017

Township prepares for winter storm

The Department of Public Works and Cherry Hill Office of Emergency Management are preparing for a winter storm that could bring as much as 5 to 9 inches of snow to our area on Thursday morning, Feb. 9.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, but the heaviest snow is expected to fall during the morning rush. Strong wind gusts, poor visibility and hazardous road conditions are expected.

Road crews are preparing for the storm, and will be working throughout the morning to respond as conditions require. However, we ask residents to follow a few simple suggestions to help during snow and ice-removal efforts:

If you can stay home and off the roads during the storm, please do. Limiting travel during and immediately after snowfall will allow road crews and emergency responders to work quickly and effectively, and greatly reduces the potential for accidents.

Please park vehicles in the driveways and off the street. If you must park on-street, please try to limit parking to one side of the street only, toallow better access for snow plows.

Keep trash and recycling bins, basketball nets and other impediments out of the road. If you are scheduled for Thursday trash collection, please leave your cans at the curb line, but out of the street.

If driving is essential, please be conscious of road crews. Stay clear of plows and allow ample space between yourself and other vehicles. Drive slowly and with extreme caution, and allow extra time to reach your destination.

Any weather-related road restrictions, closings and cancellations will be updated on the Township website and social media pages as soon as the information becomes available. Links to those sites can be found below.

Weather-related closures and cancellations (As of 4 p.m. Wednesday)

The Cherry Hill Department of Recreation has cancelled low-impact aerobics, senior line dancing and ceramics classes scheduled in the Carman Tilelli Community Center, as well as the Uncovering Your Family History Class at Croft Farm.

As always, call 9-1-1 to report an emergency. Power outages must be reported directly to PSE&G at (800) 436-7734.

Be prepared

Please check on elderly and disabled friends, neighbors and family members who live alone, to ensure their health and safety during this storm. All residents should be prepared, and keep extra supplies on hand in the event that travel is prohibited, especially in the event of a power outage. You can visit www.Ready.gov for emergency preparedness tips. Supplies to keep in stock include:

Water, one gallon per person per day, for at least three days

Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food

Any necessary medications, at least a three-day supply

A cell phone with chargers; a car charger is helpful in case of a power outage

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio

Flashlights and extra batteries

A first-aid kid

Manual can opener for food

Snow-removal information

Depending on the duration and amount of snowfall, Township trucks may plow your street several times. As snow rolls off our plows, it sometimes accumulates in driveway aprons. Please understand that this is unavoidable and it is the homeowner's responsibility to clear it. Here are some helpful hints to make snow removal less frustrating:

• Remove portable basketball nets and trash/recycling containers from the street in front of your house. Place them on the grass strip between the curb and your sidewalk.

• Do not park cars on the street from one hour after the snow has continuously fallen until 12 hours after the snow has stopped. This speeds the removal process and prevents cars from being plowed in.

• If possible, wait until the township trucks have made at least three passes on your street before cleaning your driveway.

• Do NOT shovel or blow snow into the street. Snow blowers should be adjusted so they blow snow toward your house.

• To ensure the safety of pedestrians, residents must remove snow from sidewalks following a snow fall. Please remember that children are walking to schools and bus stops all over town.

• Be sure to shovel around your mailbox and fire hydrants near your house for your safety and your neighbors' safety.

Camden County offers a snow-removal service for seniors when snow totals more than 4 inches. Click here for information on that program.

When snowfall stops, it can take an additional eight hours to complete the snow-removal operation. Public Works employees will be working continuously to provide the best possible service to residents, and to ensure roads are cleared as quickly and safely as possible. Click here for a list of roads that are maintained by Camden County or the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Sign up now for Swift 911 Emergency Alerts

The Township's Swift911 Emergency Notification System will keep you up-to-date on the latest storm updates and other important information as it becomes available. To enroll, visit www.CherryHill-NJ.com/Swift911.

Be sure to download the Swift911 Public App to have alerts delivered to your mobile device. Text Swift911 to 99538 to receive a download link. The app is available for iOS, Android and Windows phones.

Report power outages directly to utility companies

In the event of a power outage, you must contact your utility provider directly so their repair crews can identify and respond to outages as quickly as possible.

In the event of a power outage, it is critical that residents report the outage directly to the utility company, to ensure a faster response by PSE&G.

Important Township numbers to keep on hand

• Emergencies: Dial 9-1-1

• Police (non-emergency calls): (856) 665-1200

• Department of Public Works: (856) 424-4422

• Mayor’s Office: (856) 488-7878

Stay Informed

Throughout this and any other significant weather event, the Township works closely with the Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Cherry Hill Police and the Cherry Hill Fire Department to provide residents with updated information as quickly and efficiently as possible.

• The Cherry Hill School District posts news about school closings and delays and other important information at www.chclc.org, as well the district’s Facebook page and Twitter feed (@ChpsTweets).

• You can also stay informed by signing up to receive e-mail alerts. Go to www.cherryhill-nj.com/list.aspx, enter your e-mail address, and select “Emergency Alerts,” “Mayor’s Briefings” and “Cherry Hill Headlines” to ensure you stay up-to-date on the most relevant information in any situation. A subscription confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address.